Shearing apparatus



March 12, 1940. J, w. SHEPERDSQN 'SHEARING APPARATUS Filed Juno 5, 1939 7 Shets-Sheet 1 3: INVENTOR [5 JOHN w sHsPERDsoN .15 wfl aa ATTOR NE? March 12, 1940. J. w. SHEPERDSON SHEARING APPARATUS Filed June 5. 19:59

A 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 I l 5 JNVENTOR Jomvnl. SHEPERDoN ATTOP NEY March 12, 1940. J. w. SHEPERDSON snn mmd APPARATUS I Filed June, 5, 1939 v sheets-sheet s INVENTOR JOHN hf. SHEPERDsoN ATT RNEY J. w. SHEPERDSON March 12, 1940.

SHEARING APPARATUS Fil ed June 5, 19:9

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J. w. SHEPERDSON SHEARING APPARATUS Filed June 5. 1

7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fzya INVENTOR JOHN w: sHEPERDsoN ATTQRNEY 12, 1940. J. w. SHEPERDSON SHEARING APPARATUS Filed June 5, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 FLYWHEEL w Rm w gww N g m T mw A W 5 March 12, 1940. J. w. sHEPERDoN SHEARING APPARATUS Filed June 5, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 FLYWHEEL.

INVENTOR JOHN MSHEPERD ON ATTORNEY Patented 12, 1940 UNITED STATES 2.193,! BREAKING APPARATUS John W.

Masa,

Sheperdson. Worcester, Mass. auignor to Morgan Construction a corporation of Massachusetts Company, Worcester,

Application June 5, 1939, Berlal No. 271,409

This invention relates to shearing apparat and more particularly to so-called flying shears adapted to sever longitudinally moving material to produce relatively long severed pieces. with this type of shear diiiiculties are involved in adjusting the shear to produce diflerent lengths oi stock while maintaining the necessary close relationship between the speed of the shear knives and that of the stock. A still further problem is presented in bringing the shear blades into the position necessary to produce a iront crop of the desired length, for if no special provision is made for this purpose the first piece cut from the stock will be of a random zero and the particular length for which the shear 'has been adjusted. hears o! the explosion type are stationary between successive cuts. and they are brought into operation suddenly shears can be easily controlled to produce severed pieces of any desired length, except for a limitation on the minimum length dependent upon the time required for the shear to complete one cutting cycle. Furthermore it is a relatively simple matter to produce a front crop or the desired length, since the shear is always ready to make a out upon receipt or a suitable signal, such as an electrical impulse initiated by a flag switch, photo-electric tube, or the like. Consequently, this general type of shear is preferred 'in many environments to the measuring type.

One common form of explosion type shear is the well-known steam actuated flying shear, which comprises a slidable piston having a piston rod connected thereto. So long as the steam pressure is applied to both sides of the piston, it will remain stationary since the piston has a slightly greater elective area at the side opposite the. piston rod than atthe side adjacent the piston rod. When a cut is to be made, the steam at the side opposite the piston rod is exhausted to the atmosphere, and the piston will thereupon move with great suddenness. Such shears require large amounts or steam at high pressure, and such a steam supply is not always available. In some plants the steam boilers may be located so far from the shear as to require long and expensive pipe lines to conduct the steam. Consequently, a demand has long existed for an electrically actuated shearot the explosion" type, and various attempts have been made tosatisiy this demand, but so far as I am aware none of these prior attempts have or explosively" when a cut is to be made. Such I at one end of its stroke,

so make it possible to sever 1: claim. (or. rel-es) proven successful. One of the principal problems has been that 0! obtaining sufliciently rapid acceleration. When an electric motor is stationary, with no current flowing therethrough, an appreciable time is required to establish normal ilux density in the motor held and normal current flow in the motor armature, and to bring the motor with its connected shear up to normal operating speed. So much time has been required heretofore for motor acceleration as to render it impossible to make cuts at the intervals necessary for the production of relatively short severed pieces. Furthermore, a long acceleration. period tends toward inaccuracy in the length of the pieces out, not only because the stock speed has more time to change while acceleration is taking place, but also for the reason that a given percentage 0! variation in the accelerating period will cause a greater. change in the lengths oi the severed pieces. A further. problem has been that of decelerating the motor quickly enough to obtain a relatively short perind-for the completion of the cycle, and then bringing the motor to a stop when the shear blades have reached a predetermined position. Obviously, if there is a variation in the position at which the blades come to rest, there will be a corresponding variation inthe lengths of the severed pieces of stock.

It is accordingly one object of the invention to provide an electrically driven flying shear of the explosion type which will produce predetermined lengths of stock with great accuracy.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an electrically driven flying shear oi the explosion type which will accelerate from a position of rest to normal cutting speed in an extremely short interval of time. V a

It is a further object of the invention to provide anelectrically driven flying shear of the explosion type which will always retumto a state of rest at exactly the same position after completion of each cutting cycle.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an electrically driven flying shear of the explosion type which will complete each cutting cycle in a comparatively brief time interval and the stock into relatively short pieces.

With these and other objects in view, as will "be apparent to those skilled in the art, the incombination '0! parts set vention resides in the forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

In accordance with my invention in its preierred form I connect an electric, motor to a flying shear to drive the same, and I provide a releasable locking mechanism arranged to prevent actuation of the shear and to maintain the shear in a predetermined rest position. In order to chtain ex'tremelyrapid acceleration oi the shear.suf-

ating cycle.

Referring to the drawings illustrating one embodiment of the invention and in which like reference numerals indicate like parts,

Fig. 1 is a. plan view of a flying shear and cer- 'tain parts associated therewith;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation oi the apparatus shown in Fig. l;

Fig.3isaviewinsectionon thelineHoi' Fi 1;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the parts in a diflerent phase of the operating cycle;

Fig. 5 is an electrical diagram;

Fig. 6 is a modified electrical diagram:

Fig. 7 is a further modified electrical diagram;

'8 is a-further modified electrical diagram; Fig. 9 is a further modified electrical diagram; and

Fig. 10 is a further modified electrical diagram. In the drawings I have shown a flying shear comprising a pair oi spaced upright housings I I and f6 (Figs. 1 to 4) which 2| These rotors are arranged to rotate about parallel horizontal axes, and for this We pose they are connected to a pair of inter-meshing gears 22 located adjacent the outer side of the housing l5. Each gear 22 is driven by two electric motors 23 which are connected thereto by means of pinions 24. These motors are tor of larger size, there is utilizing a plurality of relatively small motors, since there is less inertia to be overcome in accelerating the motor armatures, and the motors can be brought up to speed more rapidly. The stock 8 is delivered to the shear by means of conveyor rollers 26 generally horizontal direction between the shear rotors l1 and II thence to a series'of conveyor rollers 21. The rollers 21 are preferably rotated by any suitable means at a somewhat higher peripheral-velocity than the rollers 2.,88 is customary in apparatus or this type, in' order to facilitate the automaticcontrol oi the shear in a manner which will be explained hereinafter. The various parts are so arranged that at each rotation 01 the rotors I1 and I! the knives II and will be brought into proper cutting opposition to sever the stock 8 transversely without interrupting its longitudinal travel.

In accordance with the present invention the shear is brought to rest ina prede ermined position after each out has been completed. In l'lgs,

- slightly Thus the toggle is locked in an over centhe rod 4! is formed a decided advantage in and travels longitudinally in a gap asshown in Fig. 2.

and rod the shear is at rest, as shown in Fig. 2, the pin 31 is positioned below the line connecting the pins and II. ter position and prevents the latch 32 from being turned about the pin 33 by the pressure of the lug II.

When a cut is to be made the toggle is released,

and for this purpose there is shown a solenoid 41 having a plunger 48 mounted on the upper end 01' nected to the pin 31 by means of a 52. Be-

tween the lug it and the guide bearing 50 there is provided a comparatively light coiled compression spring 53. The solenoid 41 is shown connected to a source of electricity through a normally-open pendulum switch 58 arranged to be actuated by a dag 51 which is located in the path 01' the stock S delivered by the shear. These parts are so arranged that when the front end of each piece of stock engages the flag 51, the flag will swing and produce a momentary closure of the switch 56, brie! period. move upwardly, "breaking and releasing the latch 32. II has passed the latch, and the solenoid has been de-energized, the parts will return to their original positions under the influence of gravity and the force of the spring 53. In order to allow This will cause the plunger 48 to the toggle 3648, As soon as the lug successive pieces,-

its latched or rest position, as shown in Fig. 2 sufiicient electric current is supplied to the shear motors 23 to ail'ord a substantial torque and cause the lug 3! to press against the latch latch is released the shear tion with great suddenness,

When the shear is in will spring into mo- 32. Thus when the' energizing the solenoid 41 for a whereupon the you- 18 18. The generator age supplied to the motors will be increased, preferably in steps, to maintain a high current flow despite the increasing counter E. M. F. (electromotive force) of the motors. In this manner avery high rate of acceleration may be obtained 'until the shear knives attain their full speed, which takes place before they reach their cutting opposition. Following the completion of each cut, the motors will be decelerated, preferably by dynamic braking, and the lug 8| will again come to rest against the latch 82.

Several arrangements of apparatus may be utilized for obtaining the desired results. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5 there are shown two direct current generators 88 and 8| with a flywheel 82 between them, able alternating current motor 88 which is supplied with electricity from a source 88. The generator 88 is provided with a field 88 which is connected to a suitable source 88 of direct current. The generator 8| is connected to the source 88 through an external resistance 88. The shear motors 28 are provided with fields 88 whichare connected to the source 88 through an adjustable resistance 88 is arranged to provide the proper voltage for operation of the motors '88 at full speed, while the generator 8| is arranged to serve as a buck-booster" which, in opposed series relation to the generator 88, will afford a net voltage suitable for application to the shear motors when they are in the rest or latched position. i

In order to obtain the required control of the speed of the shear motors, I provide a drum controller 12 which is directly connected to the upper shear rotor l1 and arranged to make one revolution for each shearing cycle. This controller comprises three rotary switches 18, 18 and 15. The switch 18 includes a contact segment 18 and four brushes 11, 18, 18 and88. The switch 14 includes a contact segment 82 jand four brushes 83, 88, and 88. The switch 15 includes a" contact segment 88 and two brushes 88 and 88. The motors 28 are shown connected in series, with one end of this series group connected to the positive 88 and the other end connected to both the brushes 11 and 83. The brush 88 is connected to the positive terminal of the generator 8|, and thebrush 88 is connected to the negative terminals of both the generators 88 and 8|. The brush 88 is connected through a resistance 8| to the brush 84, and through a portion of the resistance 9| to the brush'85. The brush 88 is connected through a resistance 82 to the brush 18. and through a portion of the resistance 82 to the brush 18. The brushes to opposite ends of the resistance 88.

The operation of this embodiment willnow be apparent from the above disclosure. with the shear in the latched position as shown in Fig. 5, a circuit willbe completed from the positive terminal of the generator 88 through the motors 28 to the brush 88, segment 82, brush 88 and thence through the buck-booster generator 8| to the negative terminal of the generator 88. Since the voltages of the generators 88 and 8| are opposed, the net voltage effective onthe motors will be the difference between the two generator voltages, and this difference is preferably sufiicient to maintain substantially full load current flow through the motors. For example, if the motors require 688 volts to maintain full load current flow when they are operating at full speed and all driven by a suit-v is provided with a field 81 which when connected terminal of the generator 88 and 88 are connected result the lug 8| will engage only 58 volts to maintain full load current flow when they are held stationary by the latch, the generator 88 will be constructed to provide 808 volts and the buck-booster generator 8| will be constructed to provide 558 volts, with the resistance 88 in circuit with the field 81. Thus substantially full load current will be flowing through the shear motors and they will be straining at the leas as it were, applying substantially full load torque to the shear and creating a heavy pressure against the latch 82. Thus the instant the toggle 88 -88 is broken by energization of the solenoid 81, either manually: by the push button 58 or automatically by the flag 81 and switch 58, the shear will start. The motor fields are already excited and the motor armatures already carry full load current, so that there is nothing to cause any delay.

Immediately after the shear has started to move, the segment the brush 18, sending a substantial part of the motor current through the resistance 82 and thus reducing the current flow through the brush 88. Immediately thereafter the segment 82 will leave the brush 88, but currentv flow no serious arcing will occur. This 18 will make contact with because of the reduced will disconnect the buck-booster generator 8| the generator 88 to the motors 28. The shear will reach its full, speed before. the knives engage the stock, and this speed will be maintained during the cut and until the knives have cleared the severed stock.

with the brushes 88 and 88, and the segment 18will break its contact with the brush 11., Under these conditions the generators 88 and 8|, the resistance 8|, and the motors 28 will be connected The motors at this time will be operating at fullspeed with a counterE. M. F. of say 558 volts, and the field excitation of the buck-booster generator' 8| will have increased (because of the shorting of the resistance has reached a value of say 595 volts. Hence the net voltage of the two generators will be only 5 volts, and dynamic .braking of the shear motors will take place. As the motors continue to rotate, the segment 82 will make contact with the the full voltage of Shortly thereafter the segment 82 will make contact in a series circuit.

88) untilv the voltage brush 85 and then the brush 88, cutting out the efi'ective to reduce the current flow through the field 81. This will reduce the field excitation of such shock as does occur being the buck-booster generator, decreasing the generator voltage,and increasing the net voltage applied to the shear motors. However this will require an appreciable time, since field excitation cannot be changed instantaneously and as a.

the latch 82 gently and the pressure will thereupon increase until the full torque of the motors is being applied in readiness for the start of the next cuttins 'iing a contact segment 88.

cycle. Because of the exceedingly rapid acceleration which is made possible by the invention, it is feasible to complete each cutting cycle in a small time interval and to cut relatively short lengths of stock. Furthermore, highly accurate lengths can be cut, provided the stock speed re- 'mains reasonably uniform. The flywheel 62 will decrease its speed slightly and give up energy durin the acceleration of the shear, and increase its speed slightly and absorb energy during th deceleration of the shear, thereby avoiding excessive speed fluctuations of the motor 63 during the shearing cycle.

In Fig. 6 there is shown a modified form of the invention. This embodiment includes two direct current generators 60 and 6| with a fiywheel 62 between them, all driven by an alternating current motor 63 supplied with current from a source 64. The generator 60 is provided with a field 65 which is connected to a source 66 of direct current, and the generator 8| is provided with a field 61 which is connected to the source 66 through an external resistance 68. The opposite ends of this resistance 68 are connected to brushes, and 90 of a rotary switch hav- The shear motors 23 are provided with fields 69 which are connected to the source 66 through an adjustable resistance I0. As so far described these various parts are the same as in Fig. 5. In Fig. 6 however the rotary switches 13 and 14 of Fig. 5 have been replaced by rotary switches 94 and. 85, and by amechanically actuated snap switch 96, all of which are connected to the upper shear rotor I1 and driven thereby. The switch 94 comprises a contact segment 96 and four brushes 99, I00, I M and I02. The switch 95 comprises a contact segment I04 and four brushes I05, I 06, I01 and I08.

The switch 96 comprises a pair of cams H0 and III revoluble in diiferent planes and arranged to actuate respectively cam followers H2 and H3 on the opposite ends of a lever II4 which is fulcrumed on a pin II5, the pivotal movement of the lever being limited by stops H6 and Ill. The lever H4 is formed with an upwardly projecting cam I I9 which engages the lower end of a plunger I slidably mounted in a switch arm I2I and urged downwardly by a coiled compression spring I22. The arm I 2I is pivotally supported at its lower end by a pin I23, and on its upper end this arm carries two switch members I24 and I25. The member I24 is arranged to connect we contacts I21 and I28 when the arm I2I is at one limit of travel, and the member I is arranged to connect two contacts I29 and I when the arm is at the other limit of travel. These parts are so arranged that when the cam II 0 lifts the follower II2 sufllciently to move the cam II9 slightly beyond the center of the plunger I20, the spring I22 will force the plunger along the inclined-surface or the cam II 9 and swing the lever II4-against the stop 1, at the same time throwing the switch arm I2I to the left and bringing member I25 against contacts I29 and I30. Then when cam III has reached cam follower II3 and lifted the same sufliciently, the switch arm will return to its original position. One end of the series group of shear motors 23 is connected to the positive terminal of the generator 60, and the other end isconnected to both the contacts I21 and I29. The contact I28 is connected to the brush I05, and the contact I30 is connected to the brush 99. The brush I02 is connected to the negative terminals of both the generators and N, and this brush is also connected through a resistance I 3| to the brush I00 and through a portion of the resistance I3I to'the brush MI. The brush I00 is connected to the positive terminal of the generator GI, and this brush is also connected through a resistance I32 to the brush I06 and through a portion of the resistance I32 to the brushI01.

The operation of the embodiment shown in.

Fig. 6 will now be apparent. its latched position, a circuit will be completed from the positive terminal of the generator 60 through the motors 23 to the contact I21, switch member I24, contact I 28, brush I05, segment I04, brush I06 and thence through the buck-booster generator 6| to the negative terminal of the generator 60. The voltages of the two generators being opposed, the motors 23 will be subjected to the difference in these voltages, which will be sufficient to maintaina heavy torque in the motors. The instant the latch is released, the shear will spring into With the shear in ment 96, the negative terminal of the generator 60.. The buck-booster generator 8| will be out of the circuit, and its field excitation will begin to increase switch I38 comprising a contact ring I39 having side of the supply 66 is connected to the brush I46. These parts are so constructed and arranged that when theshear is latched the switch member I34 will connect the contacts I21 and I26, and the motors 25 will be in a series circuit with the generators 66 and 6I. Upon release of the latch, the shear will start to move, and the segment I4-I will make contact with the brush I42, energizing the solenoid I56 and lifting the switch members I34 and I35. This will have the same efiect as the movement of the switch arm I2I in Fig. 6, removing the buck-booster generator 6| from the circuit and causing the shear motors to accelerate under the influence oi the generator 66 alone. Upon completion of the cut, the segment I will leave the brush I46, de-energizing the solenoid I66 and causing the switch members I64 and I35 to return to their original previous embodiments are replaced'by two gen- .erators I and I46 having'flelds I41 and I46 respectively, the .field I46 having in series therewith. The opposite ends of this resistance I49 are connected to the brushes I and I5I of a rotary switch I52 having a contact segment I53. The switch I5! is driven by the upper shear rotor I1, and on the same shaft therewith are two additional rotary switches I55 and I56. The switch I55 comprises a contact segment I51 and four brushes I56, I59, I66 and IN. The switch I56 comprises a four brushes I63, I64, I and I66. One end of the series group of motors 23 is connected to the positive terminal of the generator I46 and the other, end of this group is connected to the brushes I56 and I63. The brush I6I is connected to the negative terminal of the generator I45, and this brush is also connected through a resistance I61 to the brush I69 and through a portion of this resistance to the brush I66. The brush I66 is connected to the positive terminal of the generator I45 and to the negative terminal of the generator I46, and this brush is also connected through a resistance I66 to the brush I64 and through a portion of this resistance to the brush. I65. The generator I46 is so con-, structed that with the resistance I49 short circuited it will maintain full load current in the shear motors 23 when the shear is latched. The generator I45 is so constructed that it will produce just suflicient voltage, when added'to the voltage of the generator I46, to maintain full load current in the shear motors when speed. Thus, to use values equivalent to those set forth in connection with the description of Fig. 5, generator I45 may produce 550 volts and generator I46 may produce 56 volts.

, In the operation of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8, with the shear in the latched position asshown, the shear motors 26 will be supplied with substantially full load current from the generator I46 alone through the brush I63, segment I62 and brush I66. Full motor torque will be applied against the latch, so that when the latch is released the shear will start with the same suddenness as in the previous examples. As soon as the shear has moved a slight distance, the segment I51 will make contact with the brush I59, and the segment I62 will leavev the brush I66. This will place the shear motors in a series circuit with both the generators I45 and start to decay.

a resistance I46 contact segment I62 and,

produce just sufllcient voltage to they are rotating at full I46, and the resistance I61. As theshear continues to accelerate, the segment I51 will make contact successively with the brushes I66 and NH, cutting out the resistance I61'in steps until the full 606 volts of the generators in series is applied to the motors.

After the shear has reached itsiuil speed and the out has been completed,

the front portion 01' the segment I62 will make a contact with the brushes I63 and I64, and the rear edge of the segment I51 wfll leave the brush I56. This will place the shear motors in series with the generator I46 and the resistance I68, and since this generator produces only 56 volts, whereas the counter E. M. F. of the motors will be say @56 volts. dynamic braking will occur. Furthermore, as the braking action starts, the rear edge of the segment I56 will leave the brush I66, removing the shunt circuit from the resistance I46, and theileld of the generator I46 will As the braking action'contlnues, the segment 862 willmake contact successively with the brushes I65 and I66, cutting out the resistance I56 in steps. By the time the shear has nearly reached its latched position, the field of the generator I46 will have decayedso far that the generator will produce only a iewvolts, and the shear will stop against the latch very gently. Just before this happens, the segment I53 will connect the brushes I56 and .I5I, short circuiting the resistance I46, and causing the field of the;

generator I46 to buildup once more, whereupon the motors '23 will again exert their full torque against the latch In Fig. 9 there flcation or the invention. .In this embodiment the generator I45 0! Fig. 8 is replaced by a generator I16 having a field "I, this generator being arranged-to produce the full voltage required by the shear motors 23 at full speed, for example 666 volts, without assistance from the generator I46, the latter being used only during dynamic braking andto maintain the desired motor torque while the shear is latched. The rotary switches I62, I65 and I56 01 Fig. 9 are the same as in Fig. 8 except that the contact segment I53 of Fig. 8 has been replaced by a much shorter segment I12. Furthermore certain of the electrical connections are somewhat different. The series group of motors 26 is connected at one end to the positive terminals of both generators I46 and I16, and at the other end to the brushes I56 and I63. The brush I6I is connected to the negative terminal 0! the generator I16, and the brush I66 is connected to the negative terminal of the generator I46. Thus with the shear in the latched position as shown. the motors 25 will be supplied with substantially full load current from the generator I46 through the brushes I66 and I66, and the segment I62. when the latch is released and the motors-start, the segment I51 will make contact with the brushes I56 and I59, and the segment I62 will leave the brush I63. This will connect the motors to the generator I16, through the resistance I61, and the generator I46 will be out of the circuit. At this time thesegment I12 will leave the brush I56, rendering the resistance I49 effective to decrease the current flow through the ileld I46 of the generator I46. During continued acceleration of the motors the resistance I61 will be cut out hi steps until the full voltage of the generator I16 is applied to the motors. After the motors have reached full speed and the out has been completed, the tront portion of the segment I62 will makeicontact with the brushes.

I66 and I64. and the rear ed e of the segment I51 in readiness for the next cut. is shown a still further modiresistance will be build up again and ring I85 on a rotary switch I66.

will leave the brush I60. This will place the motors in circuit with the generator [I06 through the resistance I60, and as the shear decelerates byreason oi the resultant dynamic braking this cut out in steps by the action of the segment I62 which will make contact with the brushes I66 and I66 successively. Because of the decaying field of the generator I06, its voltage will be so low asto nearly stop the motors before they reach the latched position, and at this time the segment I12 will connect the brushes I50 and II, again shunting the resistance I00. The field of the generator I06 will thereupon cause a gradually increasing pressure against the latch.

In Fig. 10 there is shown a still further embodiment of the invention in which only one generator I16 is used to supply current to the shear motors 23. This generator however has two field windings I16 and I11 which may be NO- vided withseparate rheostats I10 and I1! respectively. The field winding I11 is also provided with an additional series resistance I00. These two field windings are opposed, and with the resistance I00 eflective and both windings energized the resultant field strength is such that the generator I16 will supply the desired voltage (say 50 volts) for maintenance or fullload current in the motors while the shear is in the latched position. With t e field winding I16 alone energized, the generator will supply the desired voltage (say 600 volts) for maintenance of substantially full load current in the motors while arranged to be opened by the energization of a solenoid I00 having one end connected to the positive terminal of the supply 66 and the other end connected to a brush I84 which continuously engages a contact This switch I00 also comprises a contact segment connected to the ring I06, and two brushes I00 and I both connected to the negative terminal of the supply 66 and both arranged to be contacted by the segment I81. There is also provided a rotary switch I 0| comprising a contact segment I02 and two brushes I93 and I, these brushes being connected to opposite ends of the resistance I80. The. switches I86 and ISI are mechanically connected to the upper rotor I ll of the shear.

The operation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 10will now be apparent. With the shear in the latched position illustrated, the solenoid I03 will be de-energlzed, the switch I02 will be closed, and

both field windings I16 and I11 will be excited, the

resultant field strength being such that the generator I15 will supply say volts to the Inotors 23, sufiicient to maintain substantially iullJoad current and produce a heavy pressure against the latch. Upon release of the latch the shear will start with the same suddenness as :in the other embodiments, and as soon as it has moved slightly the segment I61 will make contact with the brush I68, energizing the solenoid I03 and opening the switch I02. This will break the circuit through the field winding I11, and the field strength of the generator will begin to build up, increasing the voltage effective on the shear motors until say 600 volts is. being applied. When the motors have reached their full speed and the out has been completed, the front portion of the segment I 92 will make contact with the brushes I 93 and I00, shunting the resistancelll. Shortly substantially I61 electrically.

areas thereafter the rear edge of the segment I01 will leave the brush I00, de-energizing the solenoid I00 and closing the switch I02. This will energize the field winding I11 and cause the field strength of the generator I16 to decay, lowering the generated voltage and applying dynamic braking to the shear motors 20. Moreover, with the resistance I00 shunted, the field strength may decay nearly to zero, so that the motors may be nearly stopped as the shear approaches its latched posi- 'tion. At thi time the rear edge 01' the segment I02 will leave the brush I60, removing the shunt circuit from the resistance I00. This willreduce the current fiow through the field winding I11, and the field strength oi the generator I16 will increase until the full torque of the shear motors is being again applied against the latch. While this embodiment may not be quite as well adapted as the other embodiments oi the invention for installations requiring the severance of rapidly moving stock into comparatively short lengths, since it involves a change in the field strength of the main generator during each cycle and such a change requires an appreciable time interval, nevertheless it has certain advantages in simplicity, and it includes the feature which is be- 'iieved to contribute more than any other to the success of the invention. This feature is the provision for maintaining a substantial current flow through the shear motors while they are held stationary by a releasable locking mechanism, whereby'a heavy pressure will be applied to the locking mechanism by reason of the motor torque, and the shear will be caused to spring into motion with great suddenness and precision upon release of the mechanism. Thus the time required for acceleration oi the shear to full speed can be greatly reduced as compared with prior electris cally actuated shears, and the time interval from start to beginning of out can be maintained uniform on successive cuts, ensuring the production or accurate lengths.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: g l. Shearing apparatus comprising a flying shear adapted to sever longitudinally moving stock. an electric motor connected to the shear V -shear adapted to sever longitudinally moving stock, a rotary electric motor connected to the shear to drive the same, a releasable locking mechanism arranged to prevent movement of the shear and motor, means to release the locking mechanism, and means to supply electric current to the motor and create a mechanical torque which isv resisted by said mechanism while in the locked position. i

3. Shearing apparatus comprising a flying shear adapted to sever longitudinally moving stock, a rotary electric motor connected to the shear to drive the same, a releasable locking mechanism arranged to prevent movement of the shear and motor, means to release the locking mechanism, means to supply electric current to the motor at a suilicient voltage to create an appreciable mechanical torque which is resisted by said mechanism while in the locked position, and means to increase the voltage oi the current as the shear approaches the rotary electric motor connected to the shear to locking mechanism 'duce the voltage of anism while in the locked position,

sufficient voltage supplied to the "motor as the latter starts to move when said mechanism is released.

4. Shearing apparatus comprising aflying shear adapted to sever longitudinally moving stock, a rotary electric motor connected to the shear to drive the same, a releasable locking mechanism arranged to prevent movement of the shear and motor, means to release the locking mechanism, means to supply substantially full load electric current to the motor to create substantially full load mechanical torque which is resisted by said mechanism while in the locked position, and means to increase progressively the voltage of the electric current supplied to. the motor as the latter starts to move mechanism is released and thereby maintain a predetermined heavy current motor despite the increasing counter E. M. F. of the motor. 5. Shearing apparatus comprising a flying shear adapted to sever longitudinally moving stock, a rotary electric motor connected to the shear'to drive the same, a releasable locking mechanism arranged to prevent movement of the shear and motor, means to release the locking mechanism, means to supply electric current to the motor at a suflicient voltage to create an appreciable mechanical torque which is resisted by said mechanism while in the locked position, means to increase the voltage of the current suppliedto the motor as the latter starts to move when said mechanism is released, means to rethe current supplied to the motor after the sheet has completed its out and thereby decelerate the motor by dynamic braking locked position, and means to increase the voltage of the current supplied to'the motor as the shear reaches the locked position.

6. Shearing apparatus comprising a flying shear adapted to sever longitudinally moving stock, a

drive thesame, a releasable arranged to prevent movement 01- the shear and motor, means to release the locking mechanism,

means to supply electric currentto the motor at a sufflcient voltage to create an appreciable mechanical torque which is resisted by said mechand control means driven by the motor arranged to increase the voltage supplied to the motor as the latter starts to move when said mechanism is released,

the control means also being arranged-to reduce the voltage supplied to the motor after the shear has completed its cut, thereby decelerating the motor by dynamic braking, and to increase the voltage supplied to the motor as the shear reaches the locked position.

'7. Shearing apparatus comprising a flying shear adapted to sever longitudinally moving stock, an electric motor having a stationary field and a rotatable armature connected to the shear to drive the same, a releasable locking mechanism arranged to prevent movement of the shear and armature, means to release the locking mechanism, means to supply electric current to the fleld continuously at a substantially constant voltage, means to supply electric current to thearmature while the shear isin the locked position ata to create an appreciable mechanical torque which is resisted by said mech-, anism, and meansto increase the voltage supplied to the armature as the latter starts-to move when said mechanism is released. '1

8. shearing apparatus comm' s fl a flying applied by the when said flow through the A shear adapted to sever longitudinally moving stock, a rotary electric motor connected to the shear to drive the same, a releasable latch arranged to prevent movement of the shear and motor, means to supply electric current to the motor and create a mechanical torque which is resisted by the latch, a toggle linkage connected to the latch to actuate the same, said toggle linkage being arranged, when in a slightly overcenter position, to support the latch against the torque motor, and means to break the toggle linkage and thereby release the latch.

9. Shearing apparatus comprising a flying shear adapted to sever longitudinally moving stock, a rotary electric motor connected to the shear to drive the same. a releasable locking mechanism arranged to prevent movement of the shear and motor, means to release the locking mechanism, two electric generators, means to connect said generators in series and thus obtain a voltage differing from the voltage produced by one of the generators alone, and switching apparatus arranged to transmit the lower of said voltages to the motor while said mechanism is in the locked position and to transmit the higher of said voltages to the motor as the motor starts to move upon release of said mechanism.

10. shear adapted to sever longitudinally moving stock, a rotary electric motor connected to the shear to drive the same, a releasable locking mechanism arranged to prevent movement of the shear and motor, means mechanism, two generators one of which is ar- Shearing apparatus comprising a flying to release the locking ranged to produce ahigher electrical voltagethan the other, means to connect the lower voltage in the locked position, and means to connect the higher voltage generator to the motor as the latter starts to move when said mechanism is released.

11. Shearing apparatus comprising a flying shear adapted to sever longitudinally moving stock, a rotary electric motor connected to the shear to drive the 'same,-.a releasable locking mechanism arranged to prevent movement of the shear and motor means to release the locking mechanism, a generator connected to the motor to supply electric current thereto and create a mechanical torque which is resisted by said mechanism while in the locked position, and means to increase the fleld excitation of the generator anism while in the locked position, said generator having two opposing flelds, means to supplyelecwhile the mechanism. is in the locked position, in such amounts that a' tric current to both fields,

comparatively low voltage is produced by the generator.'and means to reduce the supply of current to one of the fields as the motor starts to move when said mechanism is released and thereby'increasethe voltage produced by the generator. I

" JOHN W. S 

